Letters to the Editor

By The Bakersfield Californian

I'd like to recognize the Bakersfield City Council's Community Services Committee for its recent approval of the new bicycle parking standards. As a student at CSU Bakersfield, the addition of new bike paths and lanes on my way to school has made it easier for me to commute. I also appreciate the secure bike parking on campus.

This new standard to add bicycle racks in front of buildings throughout the city will make it more convenient for people in the community to also use their bicycles for everyday transportation. This will promote a healthier form of transportation.

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Also, the standards for requiring U-shaped bicycle racks promotes a more secure form of locking up bikes. There have been many occasions where cyclists have gotten their bikes stolen due to inadequate bike racks. These racks only allow riders to lock up their front wheel or frame, but not both. These new standards will require racks that will enable a two point contact, allowing the frame and wheel of the bicycle to be securely locked.

MONTGOMERY WARD : It's amazing how quickly rumors circulate in this age of social media and instant messaging. On Monday, rumors were flying that the old Golden State Mall on F Street was about to be turned into a homeless center run by its new owner, Canyon Hills Assembly of God.

OIL PRICES : Oil producers have sharply curtailed drilling as the price of crude has plummeted, but it may not last for long. At least that is the opinion of oil magnate T. Boone Pickens, who predicted this week that oil prices would rebound to about $100 a barrel by the end of 2016.